The Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM), an entity of the Uniformed Services University (USU), serves as the translational engine for advancing traumatic brain injury (TBI) research in the heart of the National Capital Area. The CNRM mission is to catalyze innovative research on TBI that leverages resources and investigators on America's Health Campus to more effectively diagnose and treat Warfighter injuries and prevent long-term consequences resulting from TBI.
CNRM is a unique intramural federal research collaboration bringing together the expertise of investigators from the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The USU is responsible for the fiscal management as well as the establishment and operation of CNRM.
CNRM addresses the full spectrum of TBI with special focus on militarily relevant forms of TBI resulting from blast, penetrating, and repetitive trauma to the head, including the effect of high stress conditions and the concurrent development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Center's overall goal is to advance and accelerate TBI research to improve recovery of the Warfighter. Specific short-term objectives are:
1. Innovate treatments for the Warfighter based on the pathophysiological mechanisms of military TBI.
2. Establish non-invasive individualized assessments for TBI diagnosis and treatment.
3. Implement strategies to redefine clinical trial design.
4. Optimize TBI clinical trial processes for recruitment, administration, and support.
5. Promote interdisciplinary collaborative processes to accelerate TBI research.
The research objectives are supported by access to state-of-the-art core facilities for imaging, acute studies, animal modeling and behavioral testing, microscopy, informatics, recruitment, neuropathology, and biospeciman repository support. These CNRM resources and expertise come together to support the overarching goal of an integrated research program in which pre-clinical and clinical investigators interact closely and continuously learn from each other to accelerate research and translation to patient care.
CNRM Research Programs
The CNRM Research Programs have an emphasis on aspects of high relevance to the military populations, with a primary focus on patients at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Due to the impact of TBI among military populations, the CNRM seeks to serve as the catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and advancement of knowledge of the incidence of TBI and associated co-morbidities, and the identification of interdisciplinary approaches to assess and promote recovery.
CNRM Clinical Studies
The CNRM's Clinical Research Studies focus on improving the diagnosis and care of TBIs for both military service members and civilians. CNRM supports ongoing clinical research at military treatment facilities, the National Institutes of Health, and local civilian hospitals. Please visit the CNRM's Clinical Research Studies website to learn more about currently recruiting research opportunities.
CNRM Brain Tissue Repository
The CNRM's Brain Tissue Repository was established to give scientists and physicians a better understanding and more innovative approaches to better care for our military personnel after a head injury. Please visit CNRM Brain Tissue Repository website to learn more about currently recruiting research opportunities.